Under the new proposal, individuals would need to live in Finland for six years, up from the current four, before qualifying for permanent residence. Additionally, applicants would be required to demonstrate a “sufficient” command of Finnish or Swedish and at least two years of work experience.
However, there are exceptions that would allow permanent residence to be granted after just four years of residency if applicants meet one of the following conditions:
- The applicant’s annual income is at least 40,000 euros.
- The applicant holds a recognized higher education degree in Finland and has two years of work experience.
- The applicant has excellent proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and has three years of work experience.
The government also proposes that work experience should not include more than three months spent receiving unemployment benefits or social welfare.
In certain cases, applicants could qualify for permanent residency regardless of the duration of their stay if they have earned a master’s or bachelor’s degree from a Finnish university or completed postgraduate studies in Finland.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the proposal aims to amend the Aliens Act to align with the government’s program on residency conditions.
The proposal is set to undergo expert evaluation before being reviewed by Parliament in April.
